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Interventional Diagnostic Procedure: A Practical Guide for the Assessment of Coronary Vascular Function
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Assessing the prognostic value of coronary endothelial function in patients referred for a first coronary angiogram

Folkert W Asselbergs1, Stefan H J Monnink, Gillian A J Jessurun

  • 1Department of Clinical Pharmacology, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands. f.w.asselbergs@thorax.azg.nl

The American Journal of Cardiology
|October 13, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Endothelial function assessment using acetylcholine infusion does not predict outcomes in patients undergoing their first coronary angiogram for angina. This finding suggests it

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Clinical Cardiology
  • Diagnostic Tools

Background:

  • Endothelial function is a marker of cardiovascular health.
  • Its prognostic value is established in mild coronary artery disease.
  • Its role in diverse angina patient groups is less understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the prognostic value of endothelial function in patients undergoing their first coronary angiogram.
  • To determine if endothelium-dependent vasodilation predicts outcomes in a broad spectrum of angina patients.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized acetylcholine infusion to measure coronary artery endothelial function.
  • Evaluated patients referred for their first coronary angiogram.
  • Correlated endothelial function with patient outcomes.

Main Results:

  • Endothelial function assessment did not significantly contribute to outcome prediction.
  • The prognostic value was not demonstrated in this comprehensive patient group.

Conclusions:

  • Endothelial function testing with acetylcholine infusion lacks prognostic utility in patients undergoing their first coronary angiogram for angina.
  • Current prognostic models for these patients do not require this specific assessment.

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